Oil-shale retoet



July 17, 1923.

W. M. STRONG OIL SHALE RETORT Filed July 20, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet l uioooooeoooooooovoo onnunoonooeeoooo oooaovoooovvooboo noooooooooecoeooo Gabbana 00u00 llaeoouoovooooooooo amenooooooooooooonoln ATTORNEY .my 117, w23.. www@ W. M. STRONG ou. sHALE RETORT Filed July 20, 1920 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 ATTORNEY l romovoi suoi o. mpo if: known til/t ii., Ta/Tim Lui/i' iis/i1 STRONo? sino; @osos iiooioooh r oiiion of the United iitos? residing; :ao Tempomimo Variaiion and Foguiaiioi o city and oouusy of mooiooo and Schrougiioi't {Limo-fummo @iioiiiimg ohom- 3@ oto Coiiiioiizi, hm@ imvooiod o. mw bei pormiii-fimg savoia@ cuis oi oep f md Moe-ui lmprovomoni; l1 @ii-@bado of isiiil isos boing moo@ @mi mm of which :tho ioiiowiog is o spocino-y mont olf haii@ Cooiing; of of "ho This imoniion oiofios oppm'wus mooiioiiism ompioyoi, l 3^ oov oioiiig @iis oplits, oo., fiom. oopooiiy.,

io mooi'ifiis., su ri as. oii Exclusion of 'oxygen from disiiiiilig m, Coiioiiiiiig peioiomm moins o? oiis, @imm-iwf..

@ber motoriois. @mit oomioi @lo prooosg of oii @moi ooi .i ihoso 'ooiuios oiagiooi iii fiom W., Y

w 'iroioiim poduois from @oioroaio on@ Wyinvoniion oiso oomoisibs of @bho oil homing Sha-los, forms "me oonsnmoiion, oombiiiaizion igiif otoris haw-e man aiiod anni mom of maris as iioioinogoi" moo fuiy doiiioicion improogicabio. This soriboi oioime, having fofoonoo fino io sovoi'oi censos: ibo oooompomyiiig dmwimgo im Whioiiio Elisir Dosbmotioii of filo foofizs by Fig. i is o ioogiiodmoi @ammi mi. ooi

'ii/empa? ui'o require@ o voioiiizo ibo sofzioii iiiougi iiio sigpmofbiioa ioiim @monts of @ho simio Fig. 2 is o soobioii mixen om iiiio 2 2, Second: Tilo richer ohmios how o. "aoifidoizioy li. v

uss sind im ooodition odiloo im tho Fig. E is ai poiwspooiivo io'mii View @o oidos i o iooio anni oi'og in@ @simo broken owoy, showing omo of ibo onction Tiiimi: A grow; Wasi@ of @me and ifo-'fooi oimmbeis ibiwoogio which ho vopos is; incuiiwofi du@ fluo the oumbosomo methods mo romovoi when ioaciiog omi dischoigiig tho Fig. io o cross sooisiom mi iin@ ii-i9 few@ .4. l. n I D) Foul-"m2 Tho copooiy is smoii oJi img-1 5 1S @FOSS Smm@ @n hn@ @f v 59 iniermlioomi operation. M521 2. n

Fifth: ifi'ooi'; woot@ amd iossos mo also om- WF1@ f5 1S @I CWS@ S-ClIm 0B im@ 6 5 coumtoro which moi/omoiiy roluoog'iho gonbla. n. @mi oifioionoy of pimms of ihio ohsooion iRo'fervmg; io the drawings m domini, and 530 l Sixt-h: The pocoso of oiisiionion of ith@ pmicuim'iy to Figs, i and 2, it Wiii bo Jroioum commits of oii shale in tho omai soon hazt @Lino iowei' portion of #sho opparzi'tus om of gos iigh; roor'fs iwosuis in mi is consttruc'od mi roiiootoiv moieifioi, auch om@ of" o1 diotiiiotos boing obizoioodi iiioioos ro brick oirx z'giio iiko, as indioiiooi om roquiring roiimoiy irooizmom; iii oido? and that a daioiiiiing chamba? E is omodl @5 4@ to Swami/e ih@ sovomi commoioioi pooiuois Wiiioii is bouw@ im o? poriiy imoiooooi ioy o imo oasoimo, kerosene, iuioiioaisiiig oiio, ouporsigruoturo oir' hood G oonoisiing moiniy moi ou, oie. of mmol uit,

l ino disfiiiimgg chamber is oilmod To ovoioomo r-iioso oiojoo'iiomo omi izo golfociiociiy obovo o sowie@ of ifuiiooo ohomoos vizi-e si pmoiziooi oppomtus'of simpio design, indoaiibod oi, 5% 3, i and 5, and tho Ioofsfom im which oii ohmios oi? ih@ oi'imooi- @pmi Y of ich@ dioiiiiiig ohomhoi ooiioisio iod ond oiho mofoiois may bo ouiioioiiiiy of o moioi pim@ 6, over which @no mofioiioi mid oconomicoiiy iooinodijii found @honi 'Mio il@ immod is osooli.. Tino disiiiimg Eoiiowiiig iiooimfos oi objocias or@ dooiioiiio: @bombeo is provioio wif'ih mi ioioi opening Continuous food sind isobmgo oi? mo- 7, mi, omo omo?. with o diseo? opomimgg @35 iofioi. 8 ois iniio opposiio moi. Tho o #omiooi is @ooiimious movomomi 'ond of Tong Whom compare@ to im width omi o@ ibo mo'oioi wiiiio ouhjooioi @o hoot such is oopobio of oomimuouoiy imomdiiog o, EWE disiriimtion and. iio pfoommiion img@ voiimmo of iiio motomoi, of o oompomivoiy ohio Royo? or for iii'sioooo oii ohoio? io ooiiwofod '55o iii@ im@ wiiiio fio hooi vio pomii; mifoim iiio opomiiriff 'i' by moons of iooppo'i i3 oxpoomo oi iii@ @mi is :im a owofd TWi-fooniom the plate 6- through the chamber B by means 0f an endless conveyor D, which finally delivers the material to the discharge opening 8 Where it drops by gravity through an opening 10; a waste conveyor or other means not here shown being provided to remove the material. The conveyor consists of a pair of interspaced sprocket chains 11, which are carried by sprocket wheels v12 arranged at opposite ends of the chamber B. These chains are connected by bars 13 and these bars in turn carry blades or rabbles 14 which serve the function of advancing and agitating the material while paing through the chamber B.

The roof of the4 chamber B consists of transversely disposed I-beams 15, which are inclosed by upper and lower plates 16; the plates directly above the plate 6 being preferably corrugated and perforated as at 17 to receive the vapors liberated by the material during its passage over the plate 6. The I-beams 15 serve the function not only of supporting the plates 16 and 17, but also that of forming a series of intermediate chambers such as indicated at 18, 19, 20 and 21, These chambers are connected with the respective condensers 22, 23, 24 and 25, by means of flues or pipes 26 and the condensers are in turn connected with the gas tank and washer as at 27; a constant suction being maintained in the chambers 18, 19, 20 and 21, and the connected condensers b means of a suction and pressure blower interposed between the condenser and the gas tank 27, any suitable t of condenser being employed.

y referringto Figs. 1 and 2, it will beV seen that the respective furnace chambers 2, 3, 4 and 5, are rovided with gas burners 29 supplied with fuel by the tank 27.

obviously an advantage as it permits independent regulation and variation of temperature in the respective furnace chambers and also in the distilling chamber. For instance the material first entering the `distilling chamber or passing over the plate 6 may first be 'subjected to a temperature of say approximately 150 C. As it advances the temperature may be increased, for instance to 200 C. when passin over the furnace chamber 3. {flfo2500 C. wen passing over the furnace'chamber 4, and inall to 300 C. when passing overthe furnace c amber 5. This permits a considerable temperature range with corresponding cuts of distillates and variation-:within the distilling chamber and volatilization of the petroleum products contained at predetermined temperatures. For instance lighter oils and gases Vwill, lreliberated at( the front end of the distilling-chamber, intermittent roduots thnou' h the center portion'thereo and the heaviest products when ber.

the discharge end is reached. The different suction chambers 18, 19, 20 and 21, are thus receiving vapors and gases condensible at different temperatures and condensation thereof can therefore be easily regulated by the several condensers employed.

To permit a free discharge of the products of combustion produced in the several furnace chambers 2, 3, 4 and 5, are provided two stacks such as indicated at and 36. The stack 35 communicates through a duct 37 with the chambers 2 and 3, While the stack 36 communicates with the furnace chambers 4 and 5 through a duct 38. The end chambers 2 and 5 are provided with auxiliary ducts' 39 and 40, respectively.

.These ducts communicate with the inlet and discharge openings formed at the ends of the distilling chamber and with a chamber formed above the suction chambers 18, 19, 20 and 21, by an inclosing hood 51. The function of the upper chamber 50 is threefold, rst, that of removing air from the shale or material delivered; and replacing the air by gas from the combustion chamber. Secondly, that of removing gases or products of combustion escaping from the ducts 39 and 40, and third that of cooling the conveyor chains by passing fresh air through suitable openings infront of the hood over the conveyor chains, the bars 13 and the rabble blades 14 carried thereby. The chamber 50 is connected with a .central stack 52 by means of a duct 53 and the three stacks' are connected with a suction fan 54 by means of a pipe 55, a damper 56 being placed in each stack to regulate the draft or flow therethrou h.

Further reference to igs. 1 and 2 will show that a pair of end chambers and 61 are provided. The bottomA portion of each chamber is perforated as at 62 to form communication with the inlet and discharge openings, respectively. Each chamber receives products of combustion from the end furnace chambers 2 and 5 through ducts or passages63 formed in the side Walls of the apparatus and products of combustion may therefore lenter the chamber 61 and discharge through the perforated bottom sections 62 thereof asvwill hereinafter be described; the purpose being, to provide combustion chamber gas in place of air entering at theends of distilling chamber.

In actual operation shale broken to suitable size s delivered to the hopper 9, entering the forward end of the distilling cham- The enclosed air in the mass of shale encounters hot gases in the form of products of combustion delivered through the chambers-60 and the ducts 39. These gases preheat the air and shale to a certain extent andV drives outrthe air contained, due to the fact that the gases are travelling upwardlyv towards the chamber 50 due to the suction lill Leonesa maintained in the stack 52 by the suction fan d. rlhere is a constant dow ot prod' ucts ot combustion through the duct 39 upwardly through the incoming mass ot shale. This dovv as stated is maintained by the suction blower 5d and 'serves the function of driving out air, replacing it with oxygen tree gases, and also the function of preventing free oxygen of the air to any extent from entering the inlet or outlet end ot the distilling chamber. A similar llovv ol hot gases or products of combustion is maintained through the duct l0. rlhese gases pass through the discharging shale trom which the petroleum products have been removed and serves the function of excluding air at this end of the distilling chamber. The products of combustionemployed vvill also in this instance rise into the chamber and will inally discharge through the duct 53 and stack 52 and pass out through. the suction fan 5d. hir containing tree onygen is in this manner excluded and the partially preheated-mass ot shale will nally reach the forward end plate 6 Where the temperature or' the shale is rapidly increased, the lighter oil products and gases being first liberated, then the intermediate products and finally the heaviest products when the rear or discharge end ot the plate il is reached, this being due to the varying temperature of the plate maintained by the several `lurnace chambers., 2, 8, l and 5. The oil vapors, gases, etc., liberated from the heated shale are instantly removed by the suction maintained in the collecting chambers 18, 19, 2O and 2l. They are thereby prevented trom escaping either through the inlet or discharge end ot the distilling chamber and are furthermore rapidly condensed as they are almost instantly delivered to therespective condensers shown at 22., 23, 2dand 25.

ln actual-practice it is possible that some ol the vapors may partially or Wholly con dense directly in the collecting chambers just referred to. lt such should be the caseL it is obvious that they would collect in the trough formed by the corrugated bottom section 17. These troughs vvill convey the distilled products to the respective pipes 26 and the connected condensers and leakage or return to the distilling chamber or plate will thus be obviated. ln actual practice it is ot course essentiel to maintain e so called atmospheric balance betvveen the distilling chamber and the respective ends ot the chamber 50 as a certain amount ol oil vapors and gases might escape through the inlet and discharge openings in the distilchamber il the suction in the chamber 50 should be greater that that in the dist-illing chamber; or in the event ol a more rapid liberation oit vapor due to abrupt change from lean to rich shale. Conversely,

a small amount of air or products ot cornbustion might Venter the distilling chamber through the respective inlet and discharge openings if the suction in the collecting chambers 18, 19, 2O and 21 should be in eX- cess of that in the chamber 50, or more rapid than the volume of vapor liberated. il working balance must therefore be maintained between the two and this balance is maintained by regulating the velocity through the several ducts and suction lans by means of the dempers indicated at 5d and the valve 56.

From the foregoing it should be obvious that a comparatively simple, compact, easily operated and controlled apparatus has been provided by which oil shales or other products may be eiliciently and economically.

handled. ll'nitorm exposure and heat of the material treated is .maintained by exposing .a thin moving layer thereof to the plate 6.

Sticking or clogging is obviated; the amount of operators or labor required is small; heat losses are reduced to a minimum, due to the cdnstant operation permitted and large capacity is certainly insured due to the general arrangement of design and mechanismemployed for handling the material. High temperatures can also be maintained as the plate 6 is practically the only part ot the apparatus which can bedtroyed by heat action. rlhis may be easily replaced from time to time if required. No other part ot the apparatus or mechanism employed is subjected to heat destruction as these are not suii'iciently exposed or heated. For instance, a constant draft is maintained through the chamber 50 from both ends and front. This cools the upper part ot the structure and similarly the conveyor chains, bars., etc., passing therethrough. These members are only exposed to heat when passing through the distilling chamber, but are again cooled or materially lovfered in temperature during passage through the upper chamber 50. Air oxygen exclusion is maintained by the novel arrangement otD passing products 'oli combustion through the incoming and outgoing material and air tight doors, stuffing bores, etc. are thereby avoided, thus materimly simplifying the structure as a Whole.

While certain tentures of the present invention are more or less specifically illus- .tratedq l Wish it understood that variousl changes in form and proportion may be resort-ed to Within the scope of the appended claims, similarly that the materials and linish ot the several parte employed may he such as the experience and judgment or the manufacturer may dictate or varying uses may demand.

Having thus described my invention, what l claim and desire to secure by Letters lPatent isfl. ln an apparatus or the character delll-lil lectin scribed a housing having a distilling chamber formed therein,a main inlet and outlet opening formed in the housin a second inlet and outlet opening forme within the housing and communicating with the vdistilling chamber .and the first named inletand outlet openings, a furnace chamber formed in the housing below the distilling chamber, and ductspformed in the housing for maintaining a flow of furnace gases past said second named inlet and outlet openings to'exclude air from the distilling chamber and to prevent oxidization of the products of distillation.

2. A retorting apparatus for oil shale and like products comprising a housing having a distilling chamber and a superposed chamber contiguous to .the distilling chamber formed therein, an inlet and an outlet opening formed in the housing, said opening communicating with the distilling chamber and 4 the second named chamber, a furnace chamber formed in the housing below the distilling chamber, ducts formed in the housing for maintaining a flow of combustion chamber gases past the inlet and outlet openings of the distilling chamber and directing said gases into the second named chamber, and means for maintaining anapproximate balance of atmospheric pressure between the distilling cham ber and the second named chamber.

3. In an apparatus of the character described a housing having a distilling cham- -ber formedl therein, a second chamber formed adjacent thereto, an inlet and an outlet opening formed in the housing, said openings communicating with the distilling chamber and the second named chamber,

, means for maintaining a flow of gases past the inlet and outlet openings into the second named chamber, means for maintaining an approximate balance of atmospheric ressure between the distilling chamber an the second named chamber, a pluralit of colchambers formed interme iatel the secon named chamber and the distilling chamber, and perforated bottom sections in said intermediate chambers to' quicklyy remove vapors and gases liberated in the distilling chamber.

4. In an apparatus of the character described a housing having a distilling chamber formed therein, a second chamber v formed adjacent thereto, an inlet and an outlet opening formed in the Y. housing, said openings communicating witlif the distilling chamber and the second named chamber, means for maintaining a H ow of gases past the inlet and outlet openings into the second lnamed chamber, means formaintaining an approximate balance of atmospheric pressure between thedistilling and the second named chamber, a plurality of collectin chambers formed intermediate the secon named chamber and the distilling chamber, perforated bottom sections in said intermediate chambers to quickly remove vapors and gases liberated in the distilling chamber, an endless conveyor passing through the distilling chamber and the second named chamber, and feed members carried by said endless conveyor to deliver material to the distilling chamber to maintain it in constant movement while passin therethrough and to discharge the materia from the distilling chamber. V i

5. In an apparatus of the character described a housing having a distilling chamber formed therein, a second chamber formed adjacent thereto, an inlet and an outlet opening formed in the housing, said lo mugs communicatin with the distilling c amber and the secon named chamber, means for maintaining a flow of gases past the inlet and outlet openings into the second named chamber, means for maintaining an approxif mate balance of atmospheric pressure be-` tween the distilling chamber and the second named chamber, a plurality A of collectin -chambers formed intermedmte the secon named chamber and the distilling chamber,

perforated bottom sections in said intermediate 'chambers to quickly remove vapors and gases liberated in the distilling chamber, an 4endless'conveyor passing through the distilling chamber and the second named chamber, feed members carried by said end less conveyor to deliver material tothe distilling chamber to maintain it in constant movement while passing therethrough and to discharge the material from `the distilling chamber, a series of furnace chambers arranged below t-he distilling chamber, and means for regulating the temperature ineach furnace chamber.

6. An apparatus for retorting shale and like products, comprising a housing having a distilling chamber formed therein, said housing having feed and discharge openings formed therein in communication with the distilling chamber, and also an outlet for the distilled products, a furnace chamber disposed below the distilling chamber, lues connected with the furnace directing the products of combustion past the feed and recense chamber and to discharge it therefrom, a series of furnace chambers formed below the plate, and means forre lating the temperature in each furnace amber to gradually increase the temperature in the plate from end to end, a series of collecting chambers formed in the housing directly above the bottom plate and spaced therefrom, perforated plates forming a bottom section for each collecting chamber, and means for maintainin a suction in each collecting chamber to rapldly remove the products liberated by the material passing through the distilling chamber.

8. ln an apparatus of the character described a housing having a distilling chamber formed therein, a metal plate forming the bottom of the chamber, an inlet and an outlet opening formed in the housing and communicating with the chamber, means for delivering material to be treated through the inlet opening, said means ada ted to advance the material through the dlstillingv chamber and to discharge it therefrom, a series of furnace chambers formed below the plate, lmeans for regulating the temperature in each furnace chamber to gradually increase the temperature in the plate from end to end, a series of collecting chambers formed in the housing directly above the bottom plate and spaced therefrom, perforated plates forming a bottom section for each collecting chamber, means for maintaining a suction in eachv collecting chamber to rapidly remove the products liberated by the material passing through the distilling chamber, means for regulating the draft in the respective furnace chambers, and means for regulating -the suction in the collecting chambers.

t. ln an apparatus of the character described a housing having a distilling chamber formed therein, a metal plate forming the bottom of the chamber, an inlet and an outlet opening formed in the housing and communicating withthe chamber, means for delivering material to be treated through the inlet opening, said means adapted to advance the material through the distilling chamber and to discharge it therefrom, a series of furnace` chambers formed below the plate, means for regulating the temperature in each furnacev chamber to increase b stages the temperature in the plate from end to end, a series of collecting chambers forme-d in the housing directly above the bottom plate and spaced therefrom, perforated plates forming a bottom section for each collecting chamber, means for maintaining'a suction in each collecting chamber to rapidly remove the products liberated by the material passing through the distilling chamber, means for regulating the draft in the respective furnace chambers, means for regulating the suction in the collecting chambers, a chamber formed in the housing above the collecting chambers, said chamber communieatin with the inlet and outlet openings *of the dlstilling chamber, ducts formlng a communication between the ends of the last named chamber and the furnace chambers, a communication between said chamber and the means formaintaining a suction in the furnace chambers, and means for regulating the suction in the last named chamber.

lin testimony whereof l have hereunto set my hand in the presence of two subscribing Witnesses.

WILLIAM M. S'lRUNG. Witnesses: 

